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The Elf on the Shelf story was created in 2004 by Carol Aebersold and daughter Chanda Bell to commemorate their own family tradition of an elf sent from Santa who came to watch over them at Christmas time.

But despite its success, the tradition has been slammed by some as “creepy”.

Elf on the Shelf (Photo: Mark Baylor)

Rachel Foster wrote on Amazon : “Horrible passive aggressive doll that ‘watches you’ then tells on you to Santa.

“My 4 year old cried and didn’t want it in the house. Got sent back to grandma within 24 hrs.”